Countdown to Preparedness, week by week planning and preparing

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 15 ASSIGNMENTS

TASKS
1. Determine how your family will be able to handle this admittedly somewhat uncomfortable situation. Look at your individual situation and decide how you’ll solve the problem.
2. Begin acquiring the necessary supplies, such as a five-gallon pail and kitty litter. Set these supplies aside somewhere to ensure that they don’t get used for another purpose.

SAVINGS
Add $15 to your Prepper Savings Account.
TOTAL PREPPER SAVINGS ACCOUNT: ______ (Suggested total amount to now, $215)

WATER STORAGE
One gallon (or two 2-liter bottles) per person or a case of bottled water for the household. TOTAL WATER STORAGE: _____ (Suggested total amount to now, 15 gallons per person)

GROCERY LIST
3 cans vegetables, your choice
2 cans fruit, your choice, but stick with those packed in water or juice, rather than syrup
2 cans meat (tuna, chicken, beef), your choice
2 cans soup, not condensed (they require water)
1 jar instant coffee (even if you don’t drink coffee, this is an excellent barter item)
1 box granola bars, protein bars, or equivalent
1 lb pasta, your choice

WEEK COMPLETED Date:____________

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 16
Keeping Clean

The importance of keeping reasonably clean cannot be overemphasized when it comes to disaster preps. Being able to wash up not only is a huge boost to morale but also goes a long way toward preventing infections and illnesses.

Imagine being stuck at home for several weeks during a quarantine (self-imposed or otherwise). Faucets aren’t working, so no running water is available. It’s the height of summer, and no electricity means no air conditioning. Each day you and your family are working hard in the garden to bring in needed food as well as making any necessary repairs or improvements to the home itself.

You are all constantly sweaty, dirty, and disheveled. And there’s also an infant in the family going through perhaps a dozen diapers a day. A stink like that will get into your very soul. You need to plan ahead so you and your family members can clean up, at least somewhat.

Start with laying in a good supply of baby wipes, whether you have a young child in the home or not. These work great for quick sponge baths. They can also serve as toilet paper, of course, should you run out.

Next, stock up on soap and shampoo. While I fully realize bar soap can be used to clean hair as well as the body, generic shampoo isn’t all that costly.

Toothbrushes, toothpaste, and mouthwash are all essential. Make sure you have plenty of extras on hand. Figure out how long a tube of toothpaste lasts your family and multiply that out so you have at least enough for a few months. Toothbrushes are supposed to last about six months, but they’re cheap, so figure about five extras per family member. By the way, don’t throw away the old ones. They’re great for small cleaning projects.

Stick to unscented deodorants and avoid using body sprays in emergency situations. Trust me, as a father of a teenager, body sprays are highly overrated when it comes to masking other smells.

Hand sanitizer is critical. It’ll allow you to wash hands quickly after using the bathroom without expending water. But sanitizer does tend to dry out skin, so you might consider adding hand lotion to your shopping list.

A camp shower will probably be welcome after a few days without bathing. You can buy these at any decent sporting goods store or make your own. A five-gallon bucket, painted black, will heat water nicely on a sunny day. If you’re the handy sort, drill a hole in the bottom of the bucket and rig up a small hose-type fitting. Suspend the bucket above head level. Then, attach a hose and nozzle to turn the water on and off. Or you could just have someone on a ladder dump water over you while you wash up.

Remember, you want to use rainwater for bathing purposes and not water you’ve stored for consumption

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 16 ASSIGNMENTS

TASKS
1. Begin stocking up on things like soap, hand sanitizer, and other hygiene products. As I always say, watch the sale ads and use coupons if that gets you a better deal than buying generics. Your first goal is to set aside enough for three months. Once you’ve accomplished that, go for six months.
2. Begin acquiring what you’d need for a camp shower, either by purchasing a kit or building your own.

SAVINGS
Add $10 to your Prepper Savings Account.
TOTAL PREPPER SAVINGS ACCOUNT: _____ (Suggested total amount to now, $225)

WATER STORAGE
One gallon (or two 2-liter bottles) per person or a case of bottled water for the household. TOTAL WATER STORAGE:_____ (Suggested total amount to now, 16 gallons per person)

GROCERY LIST
3 cans vegetables, your choice
2 cans fruit, your choice, but stick with those packed in water or juice, rather than syrup
1 can chili or stew, your choice
1 package or jar gravy mix
1 box of tea bags, your choice (even if you don’t drink tea, this is a great barter item)
1 jar pasta sauce, your choice
1 lb dry beans, your choice

WEEK COMPLETED Date:____________

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 17
Over-the-Counter and Prescription Medications

I’m not going to enter into a debate about whether we’ve become a nation addicted to medications and why that may be the case or not. The fact of the matter is, many preppers and members of their families require daily doses of medications to survive. Add in the common over-the-counter medications that many people rely on when they become ill, and you’re talking about a fair amount of pills and potions.

The problem with storing medications is that many don’t have a very long shelf life, at least compared with other items we stockpile for later use. On average, a year is probably the longest you can expect a medication to be at full efficacy. But all meds are different, and you’re going to want to do some research on the specific ones that you and your family take.

Complicating matters is the difficulty in setting aside mass quantities of prescription medications. Script meds are often expensive, even with insurance co-pays. There’s a school of thought that suggests you may be able to save up a supply of meds by skipping a dose here and there. I cannot recommend this course of action at all. It’s vital in many cases that you follow your physician’s directions exactly.

A perhaps more feasible option is to pay close attention to when your prescription can be refilled and try to overlap that date with when you’ll take your last dose of the current supply. For example, let’s say next Wednesday is the soonest you can get a refill, but your current supply won’t run out until next Friday. This would give you an extra two days of medication on hand. Do this a few more times, and you’ll build up at least a small supply. Always take the oldest medications first, rotating your supplies to keep everything fresh.

If you’re friendly with your physician, you could talk with him or her about your concerns. Explain that with all the talk in the media about getting disaster kits together, you’re worried something could happen that would cut you off from a supply of your prescriptions. As long as you’re not talking about narcotics or other controlled substances, your physician may be willing to work with you.

As for over-the-counter medications, think back on the last few years. What illnesses seemed to crop up most often? Stomach upset? Nasty head colds? What medications worked the best? Those are the things to stock up on. Again, though, don’t go overboard and spend money on a large supply that will likely go bad before you truly need it.

Don’t overlook antacids and general pain relievers and fever reducers like aspirin and ibuprofen. If anyone in your family has allergies, be sure to have the appropriate meds on hand.

Have young children? Make sure you have age-appropriate meds available.

Just about all medicines store best in a cool, dark location. I wouldn’t necessarily toss everything into a corner of the basement, though. In most homes, a closet will serve just fine. Just be sure to rotate your supplies to keep things reasonably fresh.

Now, with all that said, I’d encourage everyone to look into natural remedies for common ailments as well as herbals and other options to replace some or all of your prescription medications. I’m not saying to quit taking your meds cold turkey. Instead, partner with a physician who’s agreeable to the use of such remedies. 58 There could be some serious side effects if you start taking a natural remedy while still taking your prescription, even if the dose is reduced.

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 17 ASSIGNMENTS

TASKS
1. Make a list of all medications your family could possibly need during an extended crisis. Begin acquiring supplies of those meds as you find them on sale.
2. Make a point of speaking with your physician about the need for additional quantities of prescription medications.

SAVINGS
Add $20 to your Prepper Savings Account.
TOTAL PREPPER SAVINGS ACCOUNT: ______ (Suggested total amount to now, $245)

WATER STORAGE
One gallon (or two 2-liter bottles) per person or a case of bottled water for the household.
TOTAL WATER STORAGE: _____ (Suggested total amount to now, 17 gallons per person)

GROCERY LIST
3 cans vegetables, your choice
2 cans fruit, your choice, but stick with those packed in water or juice, rather than syrup
2 cans meat (tuna, chicken, beef), your choice
2 cans soup, not condensed (they require water)
1 box crackers, your choice
1 box (12 packages) ramen noodles
1 lb white rice

WEEK COMPLETED Date:____________

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 18

Staying on Top of Medical and Dental Issues

One of the first things that we’ll likely miss after a total collapse is the relative ease with which we can obtain medical and dental care. Granted, dealing with our current health care system and insurance companies is no picnic, but it still beats the heck out of standing in line for hours on end to see the only medical professional (who might be a registered nurse, not even an MD) available for miles around.

As with anything else, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. While few people really enjoy visiting the doctor or the dentist, it’s far better to get a handle on problems or potential issues early on instead of letting them fester and get worse and worse.

I freely admit that I absolutely abhor visiting the doctor and dislike going to the dentist even more. It’s always a hassle, taking time off work and handing over money out of my pocket. But none of us is getting any younger. As we age, it gets more and more important to stay on top of developing health problems.

Your focus this week is to see your doctor and dentist. You probably won’t get an appointment for this coming week, but do what you can to get in soon. Get a complete physical done, including any recommended blood work. Get a dental exam, X-rays, and cleaning if you can swing it.

If you have financial problems that are affecting your ability to get health or dental care, start setting money aside for that purpose.

With luck, you’ll get a clean bill of health. If you don’t, though, immediately start looking into natural remedies for any ailments or issues. Herbal remedies, folk medicine, that sort of thing. Remember, there may come a time when prescription medicines won’t be available. Better to do the research now with all the resources available to you, such as the Internet and public libraries.

It never hurts to speak to your doctor about alternative medical treatments as well. More and more physicians are recognizing the value of these approaches. If your doctor is dead set against anything other than popping pills, it might be time to look for a new medical provider

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 18 ASSIGNMENTS

TASKS
1. Get in to see your doctor and dentist as soon as possible. Make a list of any issues you’re concerned about and be sure to take the time to discuss them with your medical provider.
2. If your physical condition is less than ideal, consider beginning some sort of exercise routine. There’s no need to spend hours every day on this. Just some simple stretching exercises in the morning will take only about ten minutes and do you a world of good in a short period of time. If you’re able to do so, fifteen to twenty minutes of walking every day will also be beneficial.

SAVINGS
Add $15 to your Prepper Savings Account.
TOTAL PREPPER SAVINGS ACCOUNT: _____ (Suggested total amount to now, $260)

WATER STORAGE
One gallon (or two 2-liter bottles) per person or a case of bottled water for the household. TOTAL WATER STORAGE: _____ (Suggested total amount to now, 18 gallons per person)

GROCERY LIST
3 cans vegetables, your choice
2 cans fruit, your choice, but stick with those packed in water or juice, rather than syrup
1 can chili or stew, your choice
1 package or jar of gravy
1 box powdered milk
1 lb dry beans, your choice

WEEK COMPLETED Date:____________

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 19
Networking

One key element to my own prepper/survivalist philosophy is that it’s nearly impossible to survive a long-term societal collapse without assistance from others. I believe it’s imperative to foster relationships now with family and neighbors to provide for better security and overall living conditions later.

There are several ways it’s helpful to have like-minded people around you now.

• Pooling of resources: Perhaps you and two of your neighbors are all planning expanded gardens this year, and each of you needs to use a good rototiller. Rather than each of you laying out money to rent or purchase one, consider going in on it together. If the daily rental fee of a tiller is, say, $75, you each chip in $25 and work as a team to get all three gardens done in one day.

• Sounding boards: While knowledge of survival-related websites, groups, and message boards online is certainly advisable, it’s always great to pick the brains of folks who are intimately familiar with your own local area. If you were looking for a great romantic restaurant to celebrate your anniversary, would you have better luck using Google or asking around at work?

• Barter/trade: When circumstances prevent you from running to the hardware store to get the tool you need to fix your generator, you may find that a neighbor has exactly what you need. He’ll help you get the generator fixed, and in turn you’ll let him charge up a few batteries. Or perhaps he’s drowning in eggs and would love to trade you a dozen if you happen to have a pound of flour or sugar. Maybe he can help you fix that leak in your roof if you could help weed his garden? Back in the day, folks did these sorts of things all the time.

• Security: The more eyes and ears paying attention to what happens in the neighborhood, the better as far as I’m concerned. Granted, every neighborhood has a “busybody” who feels it’s a calling to know just who is sleeping with whom and where, and those folks are at times a bit hard to handle. But they’re the same ones who’ll be able to tell you just how many times that navy blue SUV has driven through the neighborhood late at night.

It can be difficult, though, to make a connection when it comes to prepping. Often, we feel that we’ll be ridiculed or mocked for our interest in planning for a calamity. But given the rapid increase in both interest in and awareness of prepping—look at the numerous TV shows, books, and websites discussing it—I think things are changing, at least a bit. More and more people are “waking up” to the reality that they need to prepare themselves and their families, rather than rely on a government agency to swoop in and save the day.

I’m not suggesting that you go door-to-door in your area, asking if people have heard the end is nigh and inviting them over for a tour of your preps. What I am suggesting, though, is bringing up the subject of prepping with your neighbors to gauge their interest. Could be they just saw an episode of Doomsday Preppers, and while they felt some of those people went a bit far, they’d like to learn more about disaster readiness.

Lately, I’ve been fielding e-mails and messages from family and friends who are suddenly interested in learning more about prepping. Sometimes it’s the result of a TV show or book; other times it’s like the blinders just fell off and common sense has returned. Whatever the case is, I’m always happy to answer any questions they have. You should do the same

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 19 ASSIGNMENTS

TASKS

1. Make contact with at least three people this week and work the subject of prepping into the conversation. I don’t care if they’re immediate neighbors, coworkers, or local family members. Consider using recent news stories about stranded motorists as a starting point. Talk about vehicle emergency kits, get home bags, that sort of stuff to get the ball rolling.

2. Review previous assignments and complete those that are unfinished.

SAVINGS
Add $10 to your Prepper Savings Account.
TOTAL PREPPER SAVINGS ACCOUNT: _____ (Suggested total amount to now, $270)

WATER STORAGE
One gallon (or two 2-liter bottles) per person or a case of bottled water for the household. TOTAL WATER STORAGE: _____ (Suggested total amount to now, 19 gallons per person)

GROCERY LIST
3 cans vegetables, your choice
2 cans fruit, your choice, but stick with those packed in water or juice, rather than syrup
2 cans meat (tuna, chicken, beef), your choice
2 cans soup, not condensed (they require water)
1 package dry soup mix
1 lb pasta, your choice

WEEK COMPLETED Date:____________

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 20
Making Fire

While the Countdown to Preparedness is more about things like sheltering in place and bugging out, wilderness survival skills are also part of an overall disaster readiness plan. Learning and becoming adept at such skills is great for increasing your self-confidence. Making a fire, building a temporary shelter, and navigating your way back to safety from the middle of the forest are all basic, yet necessary, skills.

Being able to get a fire going is crucial to survival. Fire will keep you warm, cook your food, light up the night, and generally provide comfort in a stressful situation. There’s little else that can give peace and serenity like an evening spent watching a campfire.

Of course, there are many ways to start a fire. Matches, lighters, flint and steel, magnesium strikers, the list goes on and on. But all those tools boil down to the same thing—providing the spark to get the tinder lit. Really, that’s the easy part. Keeping the fire from dying out is harder.

Tinder consists of dry, easy-to-light material. Cotton balls, dryer lint, and paper all qualify. There are many natural sources as well, such as dried grass. The tinder should be material that will catch and hold a spark and burn long enough to start your kindling going.

Kindling are small sticks, at most about as big around as your finger. They should be dry and brittle. The drier they are, the easier it is to get them burning.

The idea here is to start small and work your way up. Tinder gets the kindling going. Kindling gets the larger twigs going. The larger twigs get the thicker logs burning, and so on. You can’t rush this process. Doing so will result in you having to start over. By adding too much fuel too quickly, you’ll smother the flames.

Clear a spot in your backyard to practice making campfires. Use your common sense here and don’t set up next to your wood privacy fence. Scrape the spot down to bare dirt. If you have one of those patio fireplaces, use that if you’d like. Gather a couple armfuls of sticks as well as a couple handfuls of tinder. Make a small teepee with the sticks and place the tinder inside. What you’re hoping to do is get the tinder lit and have it burn up through the teepee, getting the sticks burning. When the teepee collapses, you can slowly add more fuel.

While this is only one of many ways to build a campfire, I’ve found most people are successful with this method even without practice.

Once you have a small fire going, add larger sticks a little at a time to build it up as needed. You may be surprised at how small the fire can be and still warm you up on a chilly night.

This is a basic skill, and many of you probably mastered it long ago. But I’m sure you’ll all agree it’s an essential one and should be practiced until you’re proficient at it

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 20 ASSIGNMENTS
TASKS
1. Practice making campfires. Use different methods to light the fire and different materials for tinder. See what works best for you and what doesn’t.
2. If you don’t have these items already, add them to your shopping list for the week: strike-anywhere matches, magnesium strikers, and butane lighters. For those interested in more primitive means of fire making, do some independent homework on fire pistons, fire drills, and fire boards.

SAVINGS
Add $15 to your Prepper Savings Account.
TOTAL PREPPER SAVINGS ACCOUNT: _____ (Suggested total amount to now, $285)

WATER STORAGE
One gallon (or two 2-liter bottles) per person or a case of bottled water for the household.
TOTAL WATER STORAGE: _____ (Suggested total amount to now, 20 gallons per person)

GROCERY LIST
3 cans vegetables, your choice
2 cans fruit, your choice, but stick with those packed in water or juice, rather than syrup
1 can chili or stew, your choice
1 package or jar gravy mix
1 lb white rice

WEEK COMPLETED Date:____________

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 21

Entertainment

In the wake of many types of emergencies, you may end up with time on your hands. Without power, you won’t have ready access to television or the Internet to distract you. Sure, you may be spending more time than usual with meal preparation and other chores, as well as possibly cleaning up from the disaster (downed trees and such), but remember, even the pioneers had some down time.

It’s a good idea to think about how you and your family can spend those hours, rather than endure endless circular conversations centered on “I don’t know, what do you want to do?”

Board games are something almost everyone has stashed in a closet or cupboard. But does Clue still have all the pieces? Go through the games and make sure everything needed is there. Replacement pieces are something you can pick up for spare change at rummage sales and thrift stores.

There are a ton of different games you can play with decks of cards, too. You can stock up on several decks for just a couple of bucks. Maybe show the youngsters in the family that it’s indeed possible to play solitaire without a computer. It isn’t the worst idea to pick up a book on card games, to learn at least one or two games that are new to you and the family.

Dice can also be used to play several different games, both by yourself and as a group. By having a few sets on hand, you have the bonus of being able to use them with the board games if you lose the dice from the game. As with the cards, there are books available that explain the rules for many different games.

My wife and I are both voracious readers so, naturally, we have a house full of books. While recreational reading isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, if you or members of your family enjoy the solitude of digging into a tale of intrigue, romance, or adventure, stock up on reading material. You can also have family reading time, where you each take turns reading sections of a book out loud. You’ll find interesting books at rummage sales, thrift stores, and library sales, often for less than a dollar a book.

Especially for the younger family members, arts and crafts can help the hours fly by. You can find construction paper, scissors, glue, glitter, and other tools of the trade on sale during back to school season. If you bring out a box of these goodies, children’s eyes are sure to light up. Toss in a couple of notebooks and pens for the older children (or adults) to keep journals about their experiences during the crisis. Not only does this help time go by, but it can be valuable psychologically to get thoughts down on paper to help with healing emotional trauma or stress.

If you or family members have musical abilities, an evening or two could be spent playing instruments and singing. You might never reach Partridge Family skill level, but as long as you have fun with it, that’s what matters.

Boredom can actually be rather stressful. We live in such a go, go, go society that sitting still and doing nothing feels somehow wrong. While there’s certainly something to be said for quiet contemplation, even meditation, that’s hard to accomplish when every five minutes you have someone whining “I’m bored.

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 21 ASSIGNMENTS

TASKS
Take a look around the house and see what you might already have on hand for boredom killers. Check the board games and ensure that all the pieces are present and accounted for. Consider picking up a few other games, or the supplies for some of the other suggestions listed above.

SAVINGS
Add $10 to your Prepper Savings Account.
TOTAL PREPPER SAVINGS ACCOUNT: _____ (Suggested total amount to now, $295)

WATER STORAGE
One gallon (or two 2-liter bottles) per person or a case of bottled water for the household. TOTAL WATER STORAGE: _____ (Suggested total amount to now, 21 gallons per person)

GROCERY LIST
3 cans vegetables, your choice
2 cans fruit, your choice, but stick with those packed in water or juice, rather than syrup
1 package of nuts, dried fruit, or trail mix
1 treat, such as a bag of hard candy, some candy bars, or bagged popcorn
1 gallon cooking oil (vegetable oil is preferred, for longer shelf life)

WEEK COMPLETED Date:____________

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 22

Firearms

While I feel some survivalists and preppers overcompensate with this category, firearms are indeed necessary to a well-rounded disaster readiness plan. They serve two purposes: self-defense and food procurement.

Many of us would love to be able to afford a room full of semiautomatic rifles and military-style shotguns, but the reality is that firearms are expensive and ammo ain’t cheap either. And if you’re relatively new to firearms, you’re going to burn through a lot of ammo before you become proficient.

With that said, you can put together a basic armory of firearms for under $600, if you shop around.

Your first investment should be a 22LR rifle. The Ruger 10/22 is just about the best there is in this category. You can find them brand-spankin’ new for $200 or so, slightly cheaper if you find one used. A 22LR rifle is great for small-game hunting as well as just practicing marksmanship. Ammo isn’t quite as cheap and plentiful as it was in years past but it can still be acquired if you hunt around for it. Of course, there are all sorts of add-ons and customizations you can do to the rifle to make it look cool and mean. But all that stuff is just cosmetic.

Next is the 12 gauge shotgun. With an enormous range in shell types, a shotgun is very versatile. From hunting big game to waterfowl, it’ll keep your kettle full. Plus, there are few sounds more pucker-inducing than that of a shell being racked in a shotgun. A shotgun makes a great defensive weapon. What it lacks in long range, it makes up for in power. If you shop around, you can find a decent shotgun for around $200.

Third is a hunting rifle, such as the Mosin Nagant 7.62X54R. This is your long-range weapon. These bolt-action, magazine-fed rifles are all over the place right now for $100–$200, depending on the model. The ammo is similar to 30.06. The Mosin Nagant has an effective range to about one thousand yards, which should be sufficient for most needs.

So for $600 or so, you’ll have something for hunting small game and big game, and defending the home.

As your budget permits, I would add a handgun for defense. If you’re relatively inexperienced with firearms, I suggest starting with a revolver. They’re less complicated than semiautomatics, but the trade-off is you’ll have fewer rounds in the handgun. Most revolvers have six-shot cylinders, whereas semiautos can have nine or more in the magazine. For a revolver, a .357 is probably one of the better choices. A Taurus .357 with a four-inch barrel is going to cost a few hundred dollars. When you move to semiautos, you’re easily looking at more than $400 just for something basic.

Get your long guns taken care of first, as you’ll get more bang for your buck. Once you’ve met those needs, purchase the handguns to complete the arsenal.

As you begin acquiring firearms, safety is paramount. Be sure to have a secure location to keep them locked up and away from kids. Many sheriff’s departments offer trigger locks for free, so start with those if you can’t afford a gun safe. Ammo should be locked up securely as well.

You’ll also need to learn how to care for the firearms. Have someone teach you how to disassemble and clean each weapon. Stock up on cleaning supplies, as well as spare parts for each weapon.

Of course, all the firearms in the world won’t do you much good if you don’t know how to shoot straight. Make it a priority to practice with your firearms regularly. If you don’t have a friend or relative who is proficient with shooting, inquire about classes at your local gun ranges. Odds are you can find someone who’s 69 willing to give you the help you may need. Accuracy takes time to achieve, and it’s a skill that’s lost over time if you don’t practice.

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 22 ASSIGNMENTS
TASKS

1. If you’ve already completed at least one section in this book, and you’ve been able to contribute the specified amounts to your Prepper Savings Account, you should have a tidy little nest egg to use for shopping for a firearm. If you still lack the funds to do so, begin setting aside your nickels and dimes as best you can. For those new to firearms, consider purchasing a .22 rifle as your first one, then branch out from there.
2. Locate a range in your area where you can practice shooting as well as receive instruction if needed.

SAVINGS
You’re spending this week, not saving. Use your savings to pick up a firearm and ammunition. TOTAL PREPPER SAVINGS ACCOUNT: _____ (Suggested total amount to now, $295)

WATER STORAGE
One gallon (or two 2-liter bottles) per person or a case of bottled water for the household. TOTAL WATER STORAGE: ______ (Suggested total amount to now, 22 gallons per person)

GROCERY LIST
3 cans vegetables, your choice
2 cans fruit, your choice, but stick with those packed in water or juice, rather than syrup
2 cans meat (tuna, chicken, beef), your choice
2 cans soup, not condensed (they require water)
1 canister oatmeal or 1 box of flavored instant oatmeal packets
1 box granola bars, protein bars, or equivalent
1 canister table salt
1 lb white rice

WEEK COMPLETED Date:____________

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 23

Alternate Modes of Transportation

In many types of disasters, cars and trucks may not be your best bet for transportation. After a major event like a tornado or flood, roads may be all but impassable. Add to that a lack of readily available fuel, and most folks are going to be hoofing it to get anywhere.

Plan ahead for this possibility. In many cases, a bicycle will serve your needs well. You can pick them up cheap at rummage sales or even free on Freecycle (Freecycle.org). Some of them may need a little TLC to be roadworthy again, but repairing a bicycle is not rocket science. Remember, we’re not talking about expensive racing bikes here. A few simple mountain bikes will do nicely.

For about $30, you can get all the stuff you need to keep a bike on the road. Make sure you pick up tube repair kits as well as extra tubes. Get a small bag that will hang under the seat or over the handlebars to store wrenches, tubes, a small bottle of WD-40, pliers, and other odds and ends. Pick up a bike pump designed to fit on the bike frame when not in use.

Remember that in some cases, the bike might be more useful for carrying cargo than yourself. This was a lesson learned in many third world countries. A bike can carry a whole lot in bags and lashed to the frame, with you pushing it. That’s far easier than trying to carry all that stuff on your back.

If you keep your eyes open, you can often find a trailer for the bike rather cheap. Look for one designed to carry one or two children as well as convert to a stroller. These mount on the rear of the bike easily and will handle bigger loads. After all, they’re made to carry a couple of kids. The stroller conversion can be handy if you reach a point where you’ll have to ditch the bike for some reason.

Don’t forget a lock. I like to use combination locks, so you don’t have to worry about losing the key.

Of course, horses are another time-honored method of transportation. But they’re much more expensive than bicycles and require a lot of upkeep. I’m told that hay has skyrocketed in price in recent years. But if you have the means to have a few horses, as well as the knowledge to take care of them, they’re certainly a viable option. And packhorses can carry quite a bit of gear and supplies.

Motorcycles are also an option. They run on far less fuel than a car or truck. But they do require some training on how to operate them, as well as the requisite license. While you’d think law enforcement would have better things to do in the aftermath of a disaster than look for unlicensed motorcyclists, don’t push your luck.

Given that the odds are great that no matter what you have planned for transportation you’ll still likely end up on foot at some point, I encourage you to go for daily walks if at all possible. Start small if need be. Even going around the block once is better than nothing. Gradually increase the distance as your health and physical condition allow. Get used to putting one foot in front of the other as a way to get to where you’re going.

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 23 ASSIGNMENTS
TASKS
1. Determine which alternate modes of transportation are viable for you in your particular situation. If you decide bicycles are the way to go, acquire them as cheaply as you can and repair them as needed. If it’s been a while since you last rode, get back in the saddle by going out regularly. The saying is true, y’know, you never really forget how to ride a bike.

2. Take a look at your planned evacuation routes. Will any of them need to be altered if you’re not able to use a motor vehicle?

SAVINGS
Add $10 to your Prepper Savings Account.
TOTAL PREPPER SAVINGS ACCOUNT: _____ (Suggested total amount to now, $305)

WATER STORAGE
One gallon (or two 2-liter bottles) per person or a case of bottled water for the household. TOTAL WATER STORAGE: _____ (Suggested total amount to now, 23 gallons per person)

GROCERY LIST
3 cans vegetables, your choice
2 cans fruit, your choice, but stick with those packed in water or juice, rather than syrup
1 can chili or stew, your choice
1 package or jar gravy mix, your choice
1 jar peanut butter (if allergies are an issue, choose an allergen-free version, such as SunButter) 1 jar pasta sauce, your choice
1 jar honey (100% real honey, not flavored corn syrup)
1 lb dry beans, your choice

WEEK COMPLETED Date:____________

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 24
Preparing Food Post disaster

While I’ve discussed the need to stockpile foods that require little or no preparation before consuming, during an extended emergency you’ll want to be able to cook. But if the utility services have been interrupted, your microwave and stove top may not be particularly useful.

A hot meal is comforting, and having the means to cook food opens up more possibilities for meals. And, as I discussed in the lesson on water filtration and purification, boiling water is one of the best ways to prevent the ingestion of bacteria and other harmful organisms.

There are several methods you can use to cook food when the power is off.

Grills: Whether propane or charcoal, grills need not be limited to just cooking meat. Of course, many propane grills today are equipped with side burners designed for use with pots and pans. But even without that feature, you can simply place your pot on the grill to heat it up. I was talking to a woman a couple of years back who had suffered through a severe ice storm, knocking out power for several days. She lamented that while her family had a charcoal grill, there weren’t any briquettes for it, so in her eyes it was worthless. I pointed out that she could have just used small pieces of firewood, a thought that had never occurred to her.

If you don’t already own a grill, consider investing in one. Charcoal ones in particular can be had fairly cheap if you shop around. You could also check out your local Freecycle group(s) as well as Craigslist to find used ones. Don’t forget to pick up long-handled utensils as well. Your fingers will thank you.

Decorative fire pits: These have become popular in the last few years. Usually made of metal, these portable fire pits can sit on your patio to keep you warm on chilly nights. They pretty much amount to portable campfires, and people have been cooking over an open flame for about as long as there have been people.

Campfires: If nothing else, you can cook over a small campfire in your backyard. Clear a spot away from your house and outbuildings and keep a stash of firewood nearby.

When using any sort of campfire setup, remember that the best way to cook is to use the coals, rather than a roaring fire. The coals give off a higher, steadier heat.

While you can use your normal pots and pans if that’s all you have, they aren’t designed for campfire cooking. Shop around for cast-iron cooking implements. To start, get a good-sized frying pan and a dutch oven. These two items will serve you well in preparing just about anything.

If you’re not familiar with cooking over an open flame or coals, it does take some practice. This isn’t something you’ll pick up overnight. Grilling is just as much an art form as it is a way to prepare a meal. These aren’t skills that you can learn from reading a few books. You need to get out there and practice.

Solar ovens: If you hit up Google for “DIY solar oven,” you’ll get umpteen thousand hits. They’re fairly simple to construct from common materials and work well during daylight hours. Again, there’s a learning curve for using these ovens. Don’t wait until they’re truly needed before you put one together and see how it works.

Camp stoves: These can be found in any decent sporting goods store. They’re little stove tops that usually use small gas cylinders for fuel, though there are a wide range of models and designs. These generally work very well and store in a small space. I see them fairly often at yard sales, usually from families who decided they didn’t like camping all that much.

Please remember, these methods of using any sort of open flame for cooking should NEVER be used inside the home. There’s a danger of fire as well as carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 24 ASSIGNMENTS

TASKS
1. Select a couple of ways to cook food without using your normal kitchen appliances and begin acquiring the necessary items. Don’t overlook Freecycle and Craigslist to find decent used supplies.
2. If a charcoal grill is on your list, begin picking up bags of charcoal when it goes on sale. If you shop around, you should be able to find 14-pound bags for around $3 or $4, often sold in two-packs for about $6. If propane is more your style, make sure you have at least a couple filled tanks as backup.
3. Get outside this week and cook a meal outside. I mean the whole meal, not just the main course. Pretend the kitchen cooking appliances are off-limits. You may just learn you like the taste of this sort of meal better than anything that comes out of a microwave.

SAVINGS
Add $15 to your Prepper Savings Account.
TOTAL PREPPER SAVINGS ACCOUNT: ______ (Suggested total amount to now, $320)

WATER STORAGE
One gallon (or two 2-liter bottles) per person or a case of bottled water for the household. TOTAL WATER STORAGE: ______ (Suggested total amount to now, 24 gallons per person)

GROCERY LIST
3 cans vegetables, your choice.
2 cans fruit, your choice, but stick with those packed in water or juice, rather than syrup
2 cans meat (tuna, chicken, beef), your choice
2 cans soup, not condensed (they require water)
1 jar jelly or fruit preserves
1 box (12 packages) ramen noodles
1 sack cornmeal
1 lb pasta, your choice

WEEK COMPLETED Date:____________

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 25
Hidden Storage

Whether it’s silver coins, ammunition, or food, there are likely things you’d like to keep hidden from prying eyes. You certainly don’t want your valuables ending up in someone else’s possession if the house is searched for some reason.

Fortunately, there are many places inside the home that are easy to convert into covert stashes. Let’s start at the bottom and work our way up.

The basement is full of great hiding places. Ventilation ducts work well, as long as what you’re hiding won’t be adversely affected by heat or cold. Look for the vents that are on the side of the duct, open them up, and place your stuff inside. Be careful to not obstruct too much of the air flow, though.

If you look at the basement ceiling, you should find at least one run of large-diameter PVC pipe. This is for waste coming out of the bathroom. You could easily hang another run of this pipe somewhere else in the basement without it looking out of place. Try to match the same color of PVC, as well as the hanging hardware, to what’s already there. These pipes are large enough to use for storing extra ammunition, perhaps even a rifle.

Another option, and about as cheap and easy as it gets, is to fill a few cardboard boxes with your good stuff, then label them as “Grannie’s old clothes” or something along those lines. You could even take the extra step of placing some thrift store clothing at the top of the box, in case someone peeks inside. If you want to be even sneakier, use a specific color marker to label the “special” boxes, so you can know at a glance which ones to grab when needed.

Moving up to the main level, you can install a few additional baseboard vents in a room or two. Line up the vent along the wall so you know the dimensions, then cut away the wall, exposing the space between the studs. Put in a brick or two of ammunition, then screw down the vent. For quicker access, instead of screws you could use two-face tape or putty.

Instead of a baseboard vent, you could just leave the wall open and hide the hole with a small bookcase or other piece of furniture. This, however, makes rearranging furniture later rather interesting.

There’s often empty space inside closets, just above the door. This can be a great place for a shelf. While not as hidden as other places, few people think to look there. While you’re looking in the closets, if you have a fair amount of DIY ability, you could even create a false back to the closet. Frame in the space, put up drywall, and no one will be the wiser.

Slim items, like paper currency or coins, can be hidden inside photo frames. Tape the items to the back of the photo or the inside of the back plate, then replace it in the frame. Who really wants to steal your wedding pictures?

Bags of pet food, birdseed, or water softener pellets are all good places to stash some goodies. Freezers are another location, inside containers labeled cow tongue or perhaps pig feet.

If you have easy access to the attic, this is another place to consider. It bears noting, though, that this space is often subject to extremes of heat and cold, so avoid hiding anything perishable or temperature-sensitive there. You can just bury items inside the insulation. Just be careful you don’t do this with anything heavy enough to fall through the ceiling.

 

[LadyLocust]

WEEK 12
Planning Your Garden

Growing your own food is not only a vital component of self-sufficiency but saves you money on the grocery bill. There’s also a distinct sense of satisfaction when you sit down to eat a meal with food that you produced yourself.

It doesn’t matter what your living situation is: apartment, home owner, condo, whatever. There’s always a way to grow something. Maybe the garden can’t be quite as extensive as you’d like, but anything is better than nothing.

This is the time of year to begin planning your garden. If you’ve had gardens in the past, look at your successes and failures to determine what you need to work on this time around. On the other hand, if you’re new to gardening, it’s high time to get going on one.

If you don’t have a large yard available to you, options include container gardening and square foot gardening.

Container gardening is simply growing your plants in pots on your patio, porch, or driveway. Obviously you’re somewhat limited in what you can grow, since it’ll all have to fit in pots. But there’s such a wide range of pot sizes, odds are you can find what you need to grow almost any common garden vegetable. Potatoes can be successfully grown in barrels, for example. You start with a layer of soil and compost. Plant your seed potatoes and cover them with another layer of soil. As the plants sprout, keep all but the green plant covered, adding more and more soil as you go. At the end of the season, just tip over the barrel and harvest your taters.

Square foot gardening is a little more complicated, but still doable for even the newest gardener. There are many books and websites that discuss this method in great detail. It involves building raised garden beds, filling them with prepared soil, and growing your crops in a grid pattern. This is an excellent approach if you have poor soil in your yard or if you have limited space. Square foot gardening allows you to grow more vegetables in a smaller area.

However you approach the problem of space, begin by sketching out your proposed garden, with dimensions of length and width noted. Doing so will give you a good idea of what you have to work with as you plan your crops.

Next, determine what you want to grow this year. Again, if you’ve been through this particular rodeo before, you’ll have a reasonable idea of what works in your area and what doesn’t. If this is your first time around, consider getting in touch with your county extension office. The Master Gardeners there have one mission in life: to help folks like you.

Make a list of the vegetables you and your family enjoy. See what varieties you can grow locally. Don’t forget fruits like strawberries. Consider trying new things, too. For example, I managed to live forty years without ever trying eggplant. There was no real reason for that; I just never got around to it. We decided to try growing eggplant this past season and ended up with a fairly decent crop.

Unless you have unlimited space, you probably won’t be able to grow as many different plants as you want. You’ll have to prioritize. Consider concentrating on those vegetables that either historically grow tremendously well in your area or are appealing to your family.

Once you know what you want to grow, you’ll need seeds. Whenever possible, get heirloom seeds. Heirloom seeds produce veggies and fruit that are “true,” meaning the seeds from them can be planted next year to grow 46 the same thing. Many, many seeds commonly sold in places like Walmart are actually cross-breeds, and the seeds from your harvested crop will be sterile.

There are numerous stores, online and otherwise, that sell seeds. If you ask ten gardeners which places they like best, you’ll probably get ten different answers. Your best bet is to ask people in your area who have gardens every year. You may luck out, and they’ll give you a few seeds to get started. It never hurts to ask, as long as you’re polite about it.

You also need to research the plants you wish to grow. Pay particular attention to plant size, best time to plant, and growing season. You need that information to best plan your garden. Look back at your garden sketch and start marking down where each type of plant will go. Balance out the plant sizes so you don’t end up with big, bushy plants crowding out smaller ones. If you have a plant you can start in April and its growing season is seventy days, odds are you can use that space for a fall crop too.

Make no mistake about it, gardening is rather labor intensive. The planning, though, is where you can have all the fun without getting your hands dirty.

Just received my first seed catalog! (thought it was a little early) Don't they usually wait until after Christmas?

 

[LadyLocust]

WEEK 16 ASSIGNMENTS

TASKS
1. Begin stocking up on things like soap, hand sanitizer, and other hygiene products. As I always say, watch the sale ads and use coupons if that gets you a better deal than buying generics. Your first goal is to set aside enough for three months. Once you’ve accomplished that, go for six months.
2. Begin acquiring what you’d need for a camp shower, either by purchasing a kit or building your own.

SAVINGS
Add $10 to your Prepper Savings Account.
TOTAL PREPPER SAVINGS ACCOUNT: _____ (Suggested total amount to now, $225)

WATER STORAGE
One gallon (or two 2-liter bottles) per person or a case of bottled water for the household. TOTAL WATER STORAGE:_____ (Suggested total amount to now, 14 gallons per person)

GROCERY LIST
3 cans vegetables, your choice
2 cans fruit, your choice, but stick with those packed in water or juice, rather than syrup
1 can chili or stew, your choice
1 package or jar gravy mix
1 box of tea bags, your choice (even if you don’t drink tea, this is a great barter item)
1 jar pasta sauce, your choice
1 lb dry beans, your choice

WEEK COMPLETED Date:____________

Something to consider in the hygiene area: I have family members who fight fire. When they are on a fire, they are given these "wet wipes" of sorts that are nice and don't leave a residue on the skin. I'm not sure where they can be purchased, but might be worth looking into to have some on hand.

 

[Bacpacker]

Just received my first seed catalog! (thought it was a little early) Don't they usually wait until after Christmas?

I already have my first 2 catalogs. Already have my onion slips ordered for spring.

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 25 ASSIGNMENTS

TASKS

1. Explore your own options for hidden storage and begin implementing them. Use these techniques to keep your goodies safe from prying eyes and fingers.

2. Revisit previous lessons and complete any unfinished assignments.

SAVINGS
Add $10 to your Prepper Savings Account.
TOTAL PREPPER SAVINGS ACCOUNT: _____ (Suggested total amount to now, $330)

WATER STORAGE
One gallon (or two 2-liter bottles) per person or a case of bottled water for the household. TOTAL WATER STORAGE: ______ (Suggested total amount to now, 25 gallons per person)

GROCERY LIST
3 cans vegetables, your choice
2 cans fruit, your choice, but stick with those packed in water or juice, rather than syrup
1 can chili or stew, your choice
1 package or jar of gravy mix, your choice
1 box baking mix, preferably the type that doesn’t require eggs, milk, or other ingredients
1 lb white rice

WEEK COMPLETED Date:____________

 

[Weedygarden]

Something to consider in the hygiene area: I have family members who fight fire. When they are on a fire, they are given these "wet wipes" of sorts that are nice and don't leave a residue on the skin. I'm not sure where they can be purchased, but might be worth looking into to have some on hand.

I have some wet wipes in my preps, but there might be a particular kind that is preferred for firefighters.

https://www.thepublicsafetystore.co...YbFMo_fhN9W74UIf9F_3MngkOXhzd1RBoCOHoQAvD_BwE

DESCRIPTION:​

Firewipes® on-scene decon wipes are made to remove soot, smoke and other harmful carcinogens that firefighters may be exposed to in hazardous environments. Firewipes® use only premium ingredients and are hypoallergenic, latex-free, MI (Methylisothizolinone) free, SLS free and contains NO alcohol. Each wipe is individually wrapped to prolong shelf life, prevent cross contamination, limit waste and provide quick on-scene decontamination.

• Each box contains 12 individually wrapped (8" x 12") wipes
• Cleans soot, smoke, and other potential carcinogens from skin for quick on-scene decon
• Can be used on all external dermal areas
• All Firewipes® are hypoallergenic, latex-free, paraben-free, MI free, SLS-free, alcohol free
• Durable, water-proof packaging
• No added fragrance
• #wipedowntherisk wih Firewipes®!

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 26
Hand Tools

Two common elements of most moderate to severe disasters are

1. No electricity will be available.
2. Immediate repairs and debris removal will have to be done by you. While improvising is the hallmark of any good prepper, whenever possible you should use the right tool for the job. Naturally, it’s difficult to do that if your tools consist of a butter knife for a screwdriver and a rock for a hammer. Having a cordless drill is a great idea, but without power it’ll be difficult to charge the battery.

These are the basic tools that everyone should have.
BASIC TOOLS
❑❑ Hammer
❑❑ Bow saw
❑❑ Set of wrenches (SAE and metric)
❑❑ Channel lock pliers
❑❑ Screwdriver set (slotted and Phillips)
❑❑ Duct tape
❑❑ WD-40 or equivalent
❑❑ Pry bar
❑❑ Wire cutters
❑❑ Electrical tape

These basics will take care of most simple repair work as well as help you remove brush and the like if need be. A collection of nails and screws will also be useful for many jobs. Once the basics are taken care of, you can move on to the intermediate level. These are tools that, while not critical, make many jobs easier.

INTERMEDIATE-LEVEL TOOLS
❑❑ Socket set (SAE and metric)
❑❑ Needle-nose pliers
❑❑ Hacksaw (with extra blades)
❑❑ Extendable magnet (great for picking up dropped screws and nails)
❑❑ Loppers
❑❑ Sledgehammer
❑❑ Crowbar
❑❑ More duct tape (honestly, you can never have enough)
❑❑ Come-along 7

Safety is always important, but during and after a disaster, it becomes even more critical. So make sure you have safety equipment like heavy-duty work gloves and eye protection. Thick-soled work boots are important as well.

Tools like chain saws are, of course, excellent additions to the tool collection, as long as you have fuel, oil, and sharp chains.

The idea here isn’t to amass an entire hardware store in your garage, though if you have the means to do so, more power to you! Instead, you’ll want to put together a set of basic hand tools that will help you with any emergency repairs and also take care of blown-down trees, branches, and other debris.

You need not go out and purchase all these tools at once at your local Sears store or other retailer. But, with tools as much as anything else, you get what you pay for. A set of wrenches purchased at your local dollar store will likely bend all over the place the first time you try to loosen a stubborn bolt or nut. I’m all about buying on the cheap when possible, but tools are not the place to get stingy. Spend the money to get quality items.

Quite often, you can find inexpensive hand tools at rummage sales. Pick up a wrench here for a quarter, a couple of screwdrivers there for a dollar, and you’ll soon have a decent set of tools without breaking the bank. I haven’t had much luck finding tools at thrift stores, but your experience might be different. Watch for quality name brands like Craftsman and Stanley. Older tools in particular are usually well made. If they look rusty, that doesn’t mean they’re worthless. A little elbow grease, some WD-40, and a nylon scrubbing sponge and they’ll likely clean up well and last you a lifetime if you take care of them.

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 26 ASSIGNMENTS

TASKS
1. Begin shopping around for your tools. If you already have the basics, look for gaps in your collection and work to fill them in.
2. If you lack appropriate safety equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses, and work boots, it’s time to acquire them.

SAVINGS
Add $15 to your Prepper Savings Account.
TOTAL PREPPER SAVINGS ACCOUNT: ______ (Suggested total amount to now, $345)

WATER STORAGE
One gallon (or two 2-liter bottles) per person or a case of bottled water for the household. TOTAL WATER STORAGE: _____ (Suggested total amount to now, 26 gallons per person)

GROCERY LIST
3 cans vegetables, your choice
2 cans fruit, your choice, but stick with those packed in water or juice, rather than syrup 2 cans meat (tuna, chicken, beef), your choice
2 cans soup, not condensed (they require water)
1 jar instant coffee (even if you don’t drink coffee, this is a great barter item)
1 package dry soup
1 lb dry beans, your choice

WEEK COMPLETED Date:____________

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 27

Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice

One downside of many long-term storage foods is they’re somewhat bland. Rice and beans will get boring after a while. Sure, you can add some rehydrated ground beef to change it up a bit, but still, rather blah.

While you can buy things like MREs and other dehydrated or freeze-dried meals, they’re expensive. A case or two set aside for short-term emergencies is a great idea, but you’ll put quite a dent in your budget trying to stock up on enough to last a family of four or five for months on end.

I look at food storage as setting aside ingredients for meals, rather than meals themselves. Ingredients give you options. As any cook worth his or her salt will tell you, spices and herbs can make or break a meal.

Freshly caught fish is pretty good, but if you add salt, pepper, and maybe a bit of lemon pepper? Mmm, really good! Even better, use flour and some spices for a breading, then fry it up.

Spices are crucial to a long-term food storage plan. So are baking staples.

Here’s a short list of herbs and spices that I consider essential.

SPICES
❑❑ Salt
❑❑ Ground pepper (or peppercorns with a grinder)
❑❑ Paprika
❑❑ Garlic powder
❑❑ Oregano
❑❑ Basil
❑❑ Cinnamon
❑❑ Chili powder
❑❑ Cayenne pepper
❑❑ Bay leaves (not really a spice, but along the same lines)
❑❑ Curry powder
❑❑ Nutmeg
❑❑ Crushed red pepper
❑❑ Thyme
❑❑ Rosemary
❑❑ Nutmeg

BAKING ESSENTIALS
❑❑ Flour
❑❑ Sugar
❑❑ Powdered sugar
❑❑ Baking powder
❑❑ Vanilla extract
❑❑ Baking soda
❑❑ Cream of tartar
❑❑ Cocoa powder
❑❑ Oil and shortening (watch the expiration dates on these)
❑❑ Yeast

Naturally, the fresher the ingredients in a recipe, the better. But all the above will store reasonably well in cool, dark places. With access to those ingredients, coupled with basic food storage items like canned meats and dry pasta, anyone should be able to put together a pretty tasty meal . . . one that will beat the heck out of canned soup.

The more experience you have with scratch cooking, the better off you are. If you aren’t that adept around the kitchen, invest time and energy into improving your skills. Find a few of the gazillion recipe websites that look good and give them a shot. Even better, pick up your own copy of one or two basic cookbooks, like those by Betty Crocker. They’ll not only have all the recipes you need but are full of tips and information about the art of cooking.

Setting aside buckets of rice and beans is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. You need to learn how to use those and other ingredients. Sure, a plate of plain beans and rice will fill a belly and provide needed calories. But day after day of that will result in appetite fatiigue.

Growing your own herbs for cooking is ideal. This is a wonderful idea for those plants that thrive in your area. But picking up small jars of dried herbs as a backup is also essential.

Don’t overlook condiments either. Hot sauce improves just about everything, doesn’t it? Other basics include ketchup, mustard, and BBQ sauce.

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 27 ASSIGNMENTS

TASKS
1. If you don’t already possess at least rudimentary scratch cooking skills, begin working on that this week. Pick a few recipes to make and get cracking. Bonus points if the recipes use things you already have in your food storage.
2. Begin gathering spices and baking essentials. Watch the expiration dates on things like oil and shortening and make sure you use them up before they go bad.

SAVINGS
Add $20 to your Prepper Savings Account.
TOTAL PREPPER SAVINGS ACCOUNT: ______ (Suggested total amount to now, $365)

WATER STORAGE
One gallon (or two 2-liter bottles) per person or a case of bottled water for the household. TOTAL WATER STORAGE: _____ (Suggested total amount to now, 27 gallons per person)

GROCERY LIST
3 cans vegetables, your choice
2 cans fruit, your choice, but stick with those packed in water or juice, rather than syrup
1 can chili or stew, your choice
1 package or jar gravy mix, your choice
1 box tea bags (even if you don’t drink tea, this is an excellent barter item)
1 box granola bars, protein bars, or equivalent
1 lb pasta, your choice

WEEK COMPLETED Date:____________

 

[Weedygarden]

WEEK 28
Improvised Weapons

When I was much younger, I worked as a bartender in a tavern. We didn’t have too much trouble with people getting rowdy, but every once in a while we had to break up a fight or argument. I was always amazed at the guys who grabbed a pool stick as a weapon. Long, cumbersome, not much more than a really thin bat. I’d rather grab three or four balls off the pool table, knowing I could nail a guy in the head from relative safety fifteen feet away.

When it comes to violent conflict, whenever possible you want to keep distance between you and your assailant. In most cases, firearms are the weapon of choice. But there may well be times when you aren’t able to get to a firearm or use it safely. For example, your opponent might be standing in front of your child’s bedroom and a bullet might penetrate that room. It could also be that you’re not allowed to own or possess firearms because of local laws.

In any event, you’re deluding yourself if you believe a firearm is or should be your only line of defense.

When it comes to improvised weapons, the ideal ones are those that allow you to keep some distance between you and any assailant. Once attackers are close enough to put their hands on you, the odds shift dramatically. One handy item that works well for this purpose is wasp/hornet spray. The can will shoot a stream of poison for several feet. Since it’s a stream, rather than a fog, you can better direct it toward the face. It’ll put any attacker down hard and fast.

While some people recommend using a can of hair spray and a lighter to make an improvised flamethrower, this isn’t nearly as good an idea as it might sound. First, the range is only a couple of feet. Second, people hit in the face with that aren’t going to just drop to the floor. They’ll run around yelling and screaming, all the while possibly lighting up your curtains and other flammable items in the room. It makes little sense to burn your house down while you’re trying to protect it.

Pepper spray also works well and is obviously made for self-defense. But it isn’t something most folks have lying around. I would encourage you to invest in a few canisters and stage them throughout your house, just in case.

I hesitate to recommend Tasers for a couple of reasons. First, if the person is wearing heavy clothing, the probes may not make contact with skin, rendering the weapon ineffective. Second, you get only one shot. You miss, and that’s it.

One thing I want you to do this week is to walk through your house with an eye for readily accessible improvised weapons. Kitchens, of course, are full of goodies like knives and cleavers. The laundry room probably has several aerosol cans of cleaning products that would work well if sprayed in the face. But what about your living room or your foyer?

Use your imagination here. Is the vase of flowers you keep on a table right near the front door light enough for you to grab and swing? Maybe you have a couple of nice, solid candlesticks on a coffee table in the living room.

You should also consider positioning weapons throughout your home. If you have kids, a baseball bat resting in a corner will probably not look out of place. Pepper spray, as mentioned previously, comes in small enough canisters to hide almost anywhere. Naturally, if you have youngsters, keep them in mind and place these weapons where they aren’t accessible to children. A can of soda in an old tube sock will work great as an 83 improvised blackjack or sap. Grab the loose end of the sock and swing it over your head at your attacker. A cue ball works even better if you have one available.

The takeaway here is to have defensive weapons available to you in every room of your home . . . just in case.